Jennifer Goethals is excited for a little change of pace.
After serving as the assistant principal at Oakview Middle School since 2002, she is looking forward to her new role as principal at Blanche Sims Elementary.
‘I’m excited to be here and get to know everybody,? she said.
Prior to coming to Lake Orion, Goethals worked in Southfield as a health education teacher. There she was offered leadership opportunities on different committees and through her school principal, which started to pave her way to Lake Orion.
‘It just evolved after the opportunity to be a leader throughout the building,? Goethals said, noting she got to be the staff member in charge when the principal was out.
As the assistant principal at Oakview, Goethals played the role of disciplinarian, and she is looking forward to playing a different role at Blanche Sims.
‘I’m excited to be able to make a difference and be working at an elementary where we can start students off on the right track,? she said, noting she also wants to work to ensure that kids are reading and writing at their grade level.
First off, Goethals said, she wants to get to know the students, parents, staff and community.
‘Then, I really want to ensure that every child is learning and being successful,? she added.
For Goethals that means making sure they have programs in place to reach the high-risk population.
‘I have a passion for at risk kids,? she said. ‘I just think every child deserves the opportunity to be successful.?
‘We need to balance the playing field so all kids have the chance to do great things,? Goethals added.
While Goethals was anxiously awaiting the start of school over the summer, now that school is in session, she is looking forward to meeting everyone at the school’s open house on Sept. 18.
She said she is looking forward to the school year and the fun, exciting opportunities it brings.
‘I’m open for just about anything, but I did tell them, at the interview, I draw the line at eating bugs,? she jokingly said, referring to the outrageous things Lake Orion principals do as incentives for March is Reading month.
Bug eater may be one role that Goethals does not play, but in addition to being the new principal for Blanche Sims, she is also a wife and mother. She and her husband, Edward, have been married for 11 years, and have two children, Morgan, 10, and Jacob, 7.